I set off by 9 a.m. Wednesday from Lourdes, and started my traverse across and up France. I quickly left the Pyrenees in my wake,and they were soon a distant reflection in the mirror, certainly as far as I could see there was far less snow on the high tops, as in previous years –obviously reflecting what I had found in Spain.
The advantage of traversing the country on the ‘normal’ rather than ‘toll’ roads, is that you see so much, although obviously it takes longer to get there, however travelling along a road, only to come across an old Chateau, looming on the hillside above you, or some ancient fort looking down…this you cannot see from any Motorway.
Eventually as I had passed Toulouse, and got further North, I did get on a ‘free’ motorway, and the miles slipped by, quite pleasantly, with the countryside gliding by.
I started to come across more and more people, obviously doing the Camino de Santiago, and when I saw the signs for Le Puy, I realised why.Le Puy http://www.csj.org.uk/route-le-puy.htm is where lots of people start the Camino from, and where the official office is. As I drove into and through Le Puy, I saw 2 huge statues, of what I suspect to be St James, built onto the top of two differing rock pinnacles in the city- which itself was very busy, and the busiest place I’d been in for weeks, a strange sensation.
Eventually ,around 6 p.m. I decided I had travelled enough for the day, and seeing a campsite signposted followed the signs and ended up at a great little ‘municipal’ campsite,at a place called Choumouroux, Yssingeaux (what a mouthful!)and at $7 a night, http://en.infocamping.com/campings-Yssingeaux/municipal-de-Choumouroux-Yssingeaux it was great value, and absolutely silent, although when the building site started at 7-30 a.m. it was a bit noisier, but mattered not to me as I was up early and off again.
I continued driving Northwards, towards the Beaujolais region,again passing through great little villages, and sights as I went along, eventually arriving at Fleurie, http://www.terroir-france.com/region/beaujolais-fleurie.htm at 12-30p.m., an early finish for the day – although as I arrived at Camping La Grappe Fleurie’http://www.alanrogers.com/camping/france/rhonevalley/FR69020 …they were closed for lunch, and the rain started ….ah well…some serious wine tasting beckons !
It had been 448 miles drive across France, and quite pleasant, especially as I hadn’t paid any tolls !
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